Wednesday, September 3, 2014

IWSG: Brainstorming my novel

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I got stuck. I was working on a project for Camp NaNo in July...one that I had half an outline for...and when I got through to the place where my outline ended, I sputtered to a stop. I'm usually a pantster, so this road-block was unprecedented. I spent a few bewildered days trying to get started again, worrying that I wasn't writing anything...

Then I had an idea. What if I spent a few nights brainstorming my novel? So I grabbed my colored sharpies and some blank paper and started scribbling. I wrote down things I already knew, things I'd already written about, and then found a few of the things I didn't know yet. And those led to things I hadn't written yet, but that I knew I wanted to. It was a GREAT experience...and a good reminder that not all Writing is about word count.

I haven't added any more recently to my manuscript, and probably another brainstorming session is due. But I'm looking forward to that now.

4 comments:

  1. That is a great idea!
    I can identify with that "worrying that I wasn't writing anything" feeling. Sometimes, that is what makes a small writing speed-bump turn into a huge road-block, for me. It is awesome that you were able to move forward, and thanks for sharing this trick! I will keep it in mind for the next time I get stuck :)

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  2. Good work! I've started doing a little more plotting and outlining than I usually do but still keeping it a little loose. I'm kind of a hybrid plotter/pantser. :)

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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  3. I joyfully cheat this exact same way every NaNoWriMo. Sometimes when I can't write I'll brainstorm or I'll do research and take notes and yes I shamelessly count that as part of my word count ;)

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  4. I keep a folder of all the brainstorming I've ever done for any of the projects I've worked on. I know, it's pretty anal, but I have hundreds of thousands of words dedicated to undeveloped ideas. Then, when I don't know where to go, I can roll dice, open a file and viola! Idea. (though not always a good idea).

    And speaking of NaNo, I should sign up.

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